New Florida Law

Will Impose Liens

On Felons' Assets

Budget Also Kicks In Today

TALLAHASSEE — Florida criminals who have assets are going to have to start paying the state prisons for their keep.

Victims of domestic violence will get more protection from their abusers.

And it's going to cost Floridians more to get married, divorced and register their autos.

Thank the Florida Legislature.

Of the 3,044 bills filed by legislators during their annual spring session, 514 passed both the House and the Senate. Today, 93 of those bills become law.

Some will have little effect on Floridians' daily lives. Others - like a $25 increase in the $53.50 marriage license fee - are bound to get immediate notice.

Already drawing national attention is the move to make prisoners reimburse their victims for losses and the state for incarceration costs. Florida is the first state in the nation to pass such a law.

The new law requires trial courts to impose liens against current and future assets of convicted felons - virtually guaranteeing criminals will not profit from their crimes by selling book, television or movie rights to their story.

"It's commonplace for the most heinous of criminals to go public with the details of their crime for a whole bunch of money. I find that criminal," said Rep. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, a prime sponsor of the measure. "This sends a message. Not only will you do the time, but you're going to pay something."

King said he's been getting inquiries about the measure from legislators across the country.

Damages that must be paid to victims are specified in the law. For instance, conviction of a second-degree misdemeanor - such as unlawfully using the insignia of the American Legion - requires a $500 payment. A life felony - such as sexual battery on a child under 12 - will cost $15,000. If the crime caused someone's death, another $25,000 will be added.

On top of that, criminals will be liable for repaying the state up to $250,000 for their imprisonment. The state's cost to house each prisoner is about $45 a day.

"The cost of crime to both victims and government sould be borne by those responsible for it," Attorney General Bob Butterworth said. "This act goes a long way toward achieving that goal."

The new law with the biggest impact on every Floridian, however, is the $38.6 billion state budget. It calls for a $3 billion spending boost over the fiscal year that ended Thursday night.

No major new taxes will kick in today, but Florida's 67 school boards can vote to impose a slight increase in school property taxes - 25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. The tax amounts to $18.75 a year for a $100,000 home with a homestead exemption.

Another chunk of the budget will go toward fighting crime. State corrections officials will embark on a program to build 17,000 prison beds. The beds will be available by December 1995, adding to the current prison-system capacity of 52,000.

When the construction is through, officials estimate that criminals will serve an average of 75 percent of their sentences, compared to the current 41.5 percent.

The new budget will also funnel $237 million into programs aimed at reducing Florida's violent juvenile crime problem.

After-school programs will be set up in middle schools for students at risk.